Fast Games, Slow Growth, Real Lessons.

My Journey so Far in Lichess

I started playing on Lichess after joining an online chess competition that happened to be hosted there. At first, I had no clue how anything worked. I just signed up, played a few games, and moved on. One of the variants I clicked on was antichess. It felt weird at first, like I was playing the game in reverse. But something about it kept pulling me back.

The beginning

When I started, my rating in antichess was around 1100 or 1300 (i don't remember quite vividly). I had no strategies in mind, no goals, and no real idea what I was doing. I was just trying things out, experimenting, and mostly losing. But after some time, I realized that I actually liked this variant a lot. It was strange, fast, and had this chaotic but satisfying rhythm. It challenged the way I normally think about chess, and that’s exactly why I stuck with it.

Then what?

Now my rating is 1660 and I can say I have come a long way. Special thanks to @ew-pawn, @legendaryknight2024, who motivated me to keep making progress.(I am sorry if I missed anyone). I know i am still a beginner. I have a lot to learn. But as of now, my current goal is to reach 1800 in antichess, and I know it will not be easy. But I enjoy the grind. I like that feeling of slowly improving, even if the progress sometimes feels small or slow. And I know there is still a lot to learn.
I mostly play bullet and hyperbullet because I love the speed. It is fast, fun, and often unpredictable. The rush of making quick decisions under pressure is exciting, but it also means losing can be brutal. I have had days where I lost ten games in a row and just sat there wondering what went wrong. Losing streaks are tough, and I have had plenty of them. But with time, I realized that those bad runs are part of the process. Everyone goes through them. What matters is how you respond.
One thing I started doing was taking short breaks when things got too frustrating. I stopped trying to force wins and reminded myself why I enjoy the game. I also began watching a few strong players, learning how they handle tricky situations, especially in fast games. That helped me see the game differently.

Credits

THANK YOU @ew-pawn and @legendaryknight2024 <3 !!
They honestly helped me a lot along the way. I remember when I was stuck in a really bad losing streak, ew-pawn just told me straight up. keep trying, don't stress about the rating, just focus on yourself and improvement. And that advice really helped. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you to chill and keep going.
legendaryknight2024 was also there during so many games. We practiced a bunch and he always motivated me to play more, even when I felt like I was just getting worse. Playing with someone regularly like that makes a big difference. It’s not even about giving crazy advice! You know like just showing up, playing together, talking a bit.. it really helped me stay consistent and not quit.
So yeah, thanks to both of them. Little things like that really added up and kept me going in this weird yet fun antichess journey.

If you are also playing antichess or trying to improve your rating, here are a few things that worked for me:
• Do not panic when you are losing. Take a short break and come back fresh.
• Try reviewing one or two of your own games after a session. You will notice patterns or mistakes you never realized during play.
• Keep a small goal in mind and track your progress, even if it is slow. Progress is still progress.

Milestones (specific topic of the blog for @OllieParker :D)

As for milestones, a few really stuck with me. Hitting 1500 was the first time I felt like, okay, maybe I actually get this variant a little. Before that, I was just clicking pieces, hoping something worked. I did not expect to hit 1500 anytime soon, so when I did, it honestly felt great. It was not even about the number. It was just proof that I was doing something right. That was the point where I stopped playing totally mindlessly and started thinking a bit during games.
1600 was a whole different thing though. I kept getting close, like within five or ten points, and then suddenly losing streaks would drag me back down. That happened a lot. It was super annoying. But weirdly, it also made me more serious about how I play. I started paying attention to patterns, remembering what worked in earlier games, and learning to stay calm instead of throwing pieces just because I was losing. It took me way longer than I thought, but when I finally hit 1600, it felt earned.
What changed during all that was not just my rating. I started thinking differently. I saw forced captures faster. I set traps on purpose instead of by accident. I began to predict how opponents might play. The games felt less random and more like puzzles I could solve, even if I still mess up a lot. I have learned to be more patient, to not panic when the game goes wild, and most importantly, to not base my entire mood on my rating.
I still rage sometimes. I still go on losing streaks where nothing works. But now I do not break my head over it. I just chill for a bit, and come back later. That is something I would not have done earlier. So yes, the milestones are nice. But the mindset shift has honestly been the best part so far.

I know 1800 will not happen overnight. But I am okayyy with that! The most important part is that I am enjoying the journey. I like the feeling of getting better, understanding things I used to miss, and pushing my brain to think faster and smarter.
You know what? I do not mind the slow climb. That feeling of getting better, even in tiny ways, is what keeps me going. I look back and laugh at how clueless I was in the beginning, back when i started playing anti. And that is what makes progress feel even more real. I like being able to notice things now that I used to completely miss. I like when my brain starts figuring out patterns automatically. It is satisfying, even if the rating does not always reflect it. Because at the end of the day, it is not just about the number. It is about getting sharper, being more confident, and learning to stay calm under pressure.

To anyone reading this, I genuinely hope your Lichess journey has moments that make you feel proud too. Whether you are grinding to hit a goal or just here for the fun of playing, keep going. Keep enjoying the game. Keep learning from your losses. The setbacks are frustrating, I get that, but they are also what shape you into a better player. So take your time, play at your own pace, and do not forget to have fun while doing it.
PS :- This is my alternate account, i lost my main account which i created 3-4 years ago, hence this is my new main account for now.

Thank you for taking the time to read my first blog post. I hope you enjoyed it, though it's a bit lengthy. <3